Food pantry provides Thanksgiving meals

DANIELSON — What began as a modest charitable event inside a Danielson church basement 23 years ago has grown to become a holiday tradition that helps hundreds of needy families each year.

The Friends of Assisi Food Pantry’s Thanksgiving food distribution on Tuesday drew in more than 370 individuals who left the St. James School’s gymnasium with boxes of vegetables, turkeys, desserts and more. Pantry Director Jean Cyr, who spent much of the day briskly walking back and forth across the room, said the distribution has grown tremendously during the last two decades — in the number of needy and the number of volunteers.

“We started off in the church’s basement, brushing past hanging laundry to bring food to people waiting on the porch,” she said. “Since then — and especially in the last few years — we’re seeing more people who need help. There seems to be more of a sense of panic out there, more sadder, broken people. People seem to get discouraged, both emotionally and spiritually.”

Cyr said donations this year are down slightly, but she was optimistic that enough food would be available for anyone who needed it. Danielson resident Debbie Burkhardt, 50, said she needed a little extra help this year.

“Food stamps don’t last all month and turkeys are expensive,” she said. “But I try and pay it forward. “I work on the tables here and I’m cooking for some neighbors, too. I always bake more than I eat, so I give some food away to people that need it.”

The inside of the gym resembled a grocery store on Tuesday, with student volunteers pushing shopping carts past tables filled with canned green beans, pumpkin and cranberry sauce. A refrigerated truck outside the entrance held turkeys and fresh vegetables. Pies and cake mixes were stacked neatly next to bags of rolls and nuts.

Volunteer Lisa Bernier came out to help with her daughter, Aimee. The two handed out bags of beets to clients, pausing occasionally to chat with a familiar face.

“It’s not just the food that’s being given out,” Bernier said. “This gives them a chance to talk and hopefully get their spirits lifted a little. We’re not just feeding their bodies, but also nourishing souls.”

Cyr said the event has been embraced by the wider community, with local churches and students pitching in to help with the set-up and distribution.

St. James student Simon Becher, 14, began volunteering at the distribution two years ago as a sixth grader. He pushed a loaded cart outside and began transferring boxes into a waiting car.

“It feels good to be helping and seeing smiling faces,” he said.

His friend, William Hamill, also began helping out a couple years ago.

“I know the people we’re helping appreciate it,” William, 13, said. “I like to think it gives them some hope.”

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